PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that it has signed goalkeeper Bella Bixby to a one-year contract extension through 2027.
“Bella has demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism on and off the pitch over the course of her career with the Thorns,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Her veteran presence strengthens our Club’s culture and identity, and we look forward to continuing to support her rehabilitation ahead of the 2027 NWSL season.”
The 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Finalist helped Portland secure its league-record third NWSL Championship in 2022 as well as the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in 2021. She currently holds the club record for most league clean sheets (26), a feat she achieved last season, and has 77 appearances for the Thorns across all NWSL competitions.
Bixby is a Milwaukie, Oregon native who played collegiately at Oregon State and was selected by the Thorns in the third round (#29) at the 2018 NWSL Draft, eventually earning her Thorns debut in 2020. She is the longest tenured member on the active roster and, despite sitting out the 2026 season with a season-ending knee injury, remains a vocal leader inside Portland’s locker room.
About the Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that it has signed goalkeeper Bella Bixby to a one-year contract extension through 2027.
“Bella has demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism on and off the pitch over the course of her career with the Thorns,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Her veteran presence strengthens our Club’s culture and identity, and we look forward to continuing to support her rehabilitation ahead of the 2027 NWSL season.”
The 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Finalist helped Portland secure its league-record third NWSL Championship in 2022 as well as the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in 2021. She currently holds the club record for most league clean sheets (26), a feat she achieved last season, and has 77 appearances for the Thorns across all NWSL competitions.
Bixby is a Milwaukie, Oregon native who played collegiately at Oregon State and was selected by the Thorns in the third round (#29) at the 2018 NWSL Draft, eventually earning her Thorns debut in 2020. She is the longest tenured member on the active roster and, despite sitting out the 2026 season with a season-ending knee injury, remains a vocal leader inside Portland’s locker room.
About the Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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